My dad sent me this link to a fascinating video of a 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line; though not a tractor, it is quite a fascinating video to watch.

Narrative that was with the email:

This is really awesome footage of a 1936 Chevrolet assembly factory. Note the automation that was already in place, the workers lack of any and all modern safety equipment, glasses and helmets, and they ALL know exactly what to do and its getting done. Note also that when the body comes together with the chassis that it is in FULL trim, Interior, windshield, all glass etc. is already in place as it is dropped onto the awaiting rolling chassis, "AMAZING". Simplicity at its best. Note that while the metal finishers are checking the sheet metal for minute and tiny flaws and defects that they are wearing heavy leather work gloves. How would YOU like that repetitious job of placing 3 rivets in the 3 holes on the chassis for about 35 to 40 years?

Back in the late 60's a friend of mine was out looking for a job. As he traveld I-75 he saw a new Cadillac broke down along the express way and a man up ahead walking. Jim picked the guy up and asked where he was headed. The guy said to take him to the next exit where he could make a phone call to get his car picked up. The guy asked Jim what he was doing out traveling and Jim said he had been out of work for a while and was job hunting. The guy took his name and number and said he would let him know if he heard of any jobs. Two days later Jim got a call from the personnel office at the Norwood plant offering him a job. The guy he had picked up turned out to be the Norwood plant manager.

Jim worked there for about six months and quit. He said he got bored standing all day putting on gas caps. I think I would have stuck around.

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.- Franklin D. Roosevelt -

Great video! The sheer number of the workforce is amazing! I noticed how all the guys had to have their hands on their switch before the sheet metal press came down. Wonder how many lost hands before that safety device was installed?!

Barnyard wrote:Thanks David, that was great. You reckon that was Norwood?

Bill,

I didn’t think about the Norwood facility, it was gone long before I moved to this area. I now recall hearing something about it on the news recently, that space is slowly being occupied. I had to Google it:

Interesting the GM plant made up about a third of the city of Norwood’s tax base! When it closed in 1987 it was referred to as “Black Wednesday” and obviously had a big economic impact on the area. Interesting reading, especially the part about the strike and how they scrapped 1,100 partially completed vehicles.